AAF Purpose
To be Greater Louisville’s Unified Voice of Advertising
Mission Statement: AAF-Louisville, (affectionately known in our community as “The AdFed”), strives to grow and enhance Greater Louisville’s network of all marketing communications professionals; offering member-centric educational programs, industry connectivity and professional growth resources. We support local, regional and national advocacy efforts to protect and promote the well-being of Advertising.
We’re a club that works hard and we equally play hard, just as we do in our everyday lives. We have programs of all sizes to fit your needs. We want to be sure that you find your membership provides the value giving you the tools and resources you need to take back to the office so it translates to better business.
Be sure to read all about our history and connection to the American Advertising Federation, and to find out about the people that make this club one of the most successful in the nation. We want you to get involved too – join a committee or be a sponsor. It all helps us to help you! For questions or more information please call the office at (502) 895-2500.
AAF-Louisville is a non-profit business organization, as defined under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
AAF History
Making Louisville safe for advertising since 1908. (Seriously. 1908.)
The American Advertising Federation-Louisville was organized as The Ad Writers League of Louisville. It was founded on January 31, 1906. The Articles of Incorporation were filed with the state of Kentucky on January 30, 1908.
The first meetings were held in the old Commercial Club. Membership was restricted to males of “good moral standing” who were employed by ad agencies or were otherwise actively engaged in advertising as buyer, manager, writer or illustrator.
In 1909, the young club was host to one of the earliest national conventions of advertising executives. The theme of the fifth annual convention of Associated Advertising Federations of America was “Truth in Advertising.” Local advertising federations established vigilance committees out of which evolved the present-day national network of Better Business Bureaus.
AAF-Louisville continues to promote high ethical standards, participating in the Better Business Bureau Consumer Council and the Bureau’s Local Advertising Review Committee.
With members from all areas of advertising – agencies, independent professionals, media firms, marketing and research companies, client companies, trade organizations and community services – AAF-Louisville is a Division 1 member of the American Advertising Federation. AAF-Louisville is a thirteen-time AAF Division 1 “Club of the Year” winner, receiving the award in 1993, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2016, and 2017 — competing with clubs in top-tier markets including Cleveland, Houston, Minnesota, New York, and Philadelphia.
